Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Starch Help

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I believe in doing things when you are in the mood to do them.  Which is why I have not begun quilting this awesome quilt top yet!  Because, well, I haven't FELT like it yet!

But here I am finally getting to it.  I have decided to Starch the quilt top and back which is a new adventure for me.  Any tips are greatly appreciated!  I think I already made my first slip up because the starch instructions stated that I needed to iron while the fabric was damp...well it dried a lot faster than I thought it would and now I am left ironing it dry.  Do I use steam?  Do I mist?  What to do?
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I have gotten most of the wrinkles out except for these rather annoying little micro ones that you see below.  Hmmph. I mean how anal can I be?  It is going to get wrinkled again anyway right?
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Well if you are over here visiting from Freshly Pieced please do let me know if you've experience with starch and what your thoughts are.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Linking up to WIP Wednesday for the first time in I think a year!  Crazy!

**UPDATE: I misted water when I pressed my quilt top/backing based on the comments I received to this post.  It really worked and the starch is still working.  So, my advice?  Attack those micro-wrinkles with mist and patient pressing to de-wrinkle and avoid stretching and you are good to go!**

- rebecca lynne

11 comments:

Greta said...

I use best press for starch and it seems to work fine. I use a dry hot iron anytime I am ironing near seams to keep it from getting distorted. Steam can tend to do that. On the solid areas I think you would be okay to use some steam to get out those pesky wrinkles. The starch won't keep it from getting any wrinkles but it should help.

Budsmam said...

I love starching, Alyssia at pile o fabric has a tutorial on it which might help you http://www.pileofabric.com/post/2013/1/21/starching-your-fabric-technique-tutorial-tuesday
Your quilt top is lovely

Christine said...

I know nothing about starch but I am here from Freshly Pieced. And your quilt looks beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I have only just started hearing about starch. I have not used it yet but want to give it a try. The candy/bright colours on this quilt are fabulous. Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

bstaley said...

I'm not big on starch either. Guess I'm just not comforable with it. I think i'll check out the tutorial noted above. I love your quilt top, the colors are great - makes me think of Summer! Would love to see it when your finished quilting.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a big starch fan either. Mostly I use a mixture of water and vodka when I press (not, not applied internally - I actually spray it on the fabric). It's great for taking out wrinkles and leaving a fresh smell. I've occasionally used starch or sizing (think starch-lite) if I'm working with teeny tiny pieces. I've never starched a finished top. I would think that you should be able to mist it with a little water to refresh the starch, then press.

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

You're ALIVE! :) This quilt makes me happy! So colorful and fun. No starch experience so will be watching and learning from your experience. xo

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love starch but only on my quilting fabric, not on my clothes! I tend to spray a section at a time (the bit that's on the ironing board!), wait a few seconds to let it sink in (or the iron will cook it and you end up with flaky bits) and then whizz the iron over it. I'd spray a bit of water over those little wrinkles and they should iron out. I can't wait to see how you're going to quilt this gorgeous quilt!

DanaK ~ WaterPenny said...

I love using starch! I think you can't use too much of it - it all just washes out - so if it dries before I get to it, I just spray on more more more! However, if you don't want to do that - you can just use water in a spritz bottle to unset your wrinkle and re-press.

I like Best Press ok, but it is so dang pricey for how much I use it that I stopped buying it. I make my own starch and have info on that here: http://waterpenny.net/make-your-own-spray-starch/

I also enjoy Magic Sizing quite a bit. Again it's just a price and convenience thing, I quilt a lot so I like having my home made starch around - never run out!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This is such a gorgeous quilt top! I'll be interested to learn how the starching turns out :)

Erin @ Once Upon a Donkey said...

Um, yeah, no idea what you are on about - but soooo excited to see this lovely getting ready for quilting. Yippee! xo